Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
691. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if advice will be provided in relation to a foreign birth registration query (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41970/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraApplications for Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) can only be initiated and paid for using the online application and payment system. The technology underpinning the payments system used by the FBR Service is designed to accept payments from the major card issuers worldwide. The applicant would be advised to liaise with their financial institution or card issuers regarding any issues with the online payment system.
It should be noted that due to the complex nature of the Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) process, the large increase in applications received following the Brexit vote in the UK, and the pause in the Service due to necessary Covid-19 restrictions, applicants should allow over 2 years from the receipt of supporting documentation for processing of FBR applications at this time.
The FBR Service provides an emergency service for Foreign Birth Registration in cases of exceptional urgency, such as expectant parents, or stateless persons. Such applicants may continue to contact the Passport Service directly. For other applications, the FBR service operates a transparent general policy of processing applications in order of receipt of supporting documents.
The Passport Service has been scaling up resources to deal with anticipated demand for passports and FBR applications since June of last year. A major recruitment drive, in partnership with the Public Appointments Service, has been underway over the past several months. This has seen the Passport Service taken on over 600 staff since June 2021.
The unprecedented level of staff currently working in the Passport Service will be maintained in the months ahead. This will allow for the reassignment of additional staff to the processing of FBR applications with the aim of significantly reducing turnaround times for these applications.
